Letters

Museum idea

MOST of the world’s important historical artefacts and art works are stored in the great museums of the world.

Building a new, conventional museum would require a great deal of money. However, it is now possible to copy and create virtual images (including holograms) of almost anything. It is also possible to create virtual reality simulations. For example, to experience walking around parts of ancient Rome or Athens or perhaps Romano-British Caerleon, or sailing on the ‘Newport Ship’ in the Middle Ages.

Creating a museum of virtual reality, in Newport, might be one way of vitalising the city. An existing building could be modified. Presenting virtual and or holographic images and simulations would not require a great deal of space — images and simulations could be scaled accordingly. It could also provide a great opportunity for the University of South Wales to become involved.

Comments (3)

Part of the appeal of visiting a museum is that you are seeing the actual items that were used or created by people living hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

If all you are going to see are digital representations of these artifacts, then you might just as well stay at home and look at pictures over the internet

Part of the appeal of visiting a museum is that you are seeing the actual items that were used or created by people living hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
If all you are going to see are digital representations of these artifacts, then you might just as well stay at home and look at pictures over the internet-trigg-

Why not put Welshmen (the reader who regularly comments on Argus articles) as an exhibit in a new Newport museum?
He is, after all, a relic from stone age times.
And if we display a selection of his letters, it will show how life was before civilisation developed.

Why not put Welshmen (the reader who regularly comments on Argus articles) as an exhibit in a new Newport museum?
He is, after all, a relic from stone age times.
And if we display a selection of his letters, it will show how life was before civilisation developed.jimmytheone2

-trigg- wrote:
Part of the appeal of visiting a museum is that you are seeing the actual items that were used or created by people living hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

If all you are going to see are digital representations of these artifacts, then you might just as well stay at home and look at pictures over the internet

PART of the appeal, yes. But for a much needed boost to the museum's profile and to make it more widely accessible, it is crucial to keep up with the times and provide some kind of digital portal. A combination of real and virtual exhibitions is a wonderful idea - the two are not mutually exclusive.
Besides, is it currently possible to glimpse the Newport ship in real life?

[quote][p][bold]-trigg-[/bold] wrote:
Part of the appeal of visiting a museum is that you are seeing the actual items that were used or created by people living hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
If all you are going to see are digital representations of these artifacts, then you might just as well stay at home and look at pictures over the internet[/p][/quote]PART of the appeal, yes. But for a much needed boost to the museum's profile and to make it more widely accessible, it is crucial to keep up with the times and provide some kind of digital portal. A combination of real and virtual exhibitions is a wonderful idea - the two are not mutually exclusive.
Besides, is it currently possible to glimpse the Newport ship in real life?DraigDun